Walvis residents march over toxic dump fires, failing services

Walvis Bay residents staged a peaceful demonstration on Saturday, primarily over the uncontrolled burning of tyres at the Walvis Bay landfill site, as well as a range of service delivery issues.

“We cannot continue to breathe toxic air from uncontrolled fires at the landfill site," one of the organisers, Mariëtta Klem, said.

Residents said the municipality has one week to outline a clear plan of action in response to a petition handed over, and two weeks to begin implementing it.

The petition, which was started in 2025, has already been signed by more than 5 000 residents.

"These fires have been burning for several consecutive days. They continue to smoulder and spread beneath the surface of the landfill. What is the municipality’s plan to fully extinguish these current fires using a method that prevents underground burning and future reignition?” Klem asked.

“We are firmly saying enough is enough. We do not want to fight; we want to be heard,” Klem said on behalf of residents.

Residents noted that once the current fires are extinguished, measures must be put in place to prevent those illegally living at the dump site from starting new fires.

“No one should benefit from illegally occupying or operating on municipal property. If access to free resources and income opportunities at the site is controlled, it will discourage continued and future illegal occupation.”

Residents also called for stricter controls to prevent the unauthorised removal of scrap metal and other materials from the dump site, and the closure of a taxpayer-funded tap there.

Klem noted that she has a detailed evidence log of fires, including dates, times and images to share with the authorities, with the earliest record dating back to June 2021.

Unfair damages

Simeon Mbaka, representing Walvis Bay taxi drivers, raised concerns about severely deteriorating roads and unsafe drainage systems that hinder safe operations and livelihoods.

Drivers said deep potholes damage vehicles and lead to failed roadworthy tests and fines, despite being beyond their control.

“Despite repeated complaints from drivers and residents, no lasting improvements have been made. Last year, there were efforts to repair certain areas. However, this year the roads have deteriorated once again and are now in a critical state.”

Open or uncovered drains also pose safety risks to motorists and pedestrians.

“This places an unfair financial burden on taxi drivers whose livelihoods already depend on maintaining their vehicles,” he added.

The petition calls on the municipality to restore regular street cleaning and refuse collection, reassert control over the landfill site, halt the burning of waste, provide adequate sanitation in townships, urgently repair roads to safe, drivable standards, and improve transparency on building plans, budgets and timelines. It also calls for accountability and a commitment to restoring Walvis Bay as a clean, safe and healthy town.

Out of control

Councillor Sharon Roodt, who accepted the petition, admitted that on the landfill site, authorities have "lost control".

An estimated 700 to 900 people live at the site, with informal settlements and camps, including a camp reportedly occupied by Zimbabwean nationals.

She added that attempts to issue eviction notices earlier were not fully implemented, partly due to complications over land boundaries between municipal and state-controlled areas.

“For example, we have N$9 million available to build a fence around the area, but we cannot fence off land that does not belong to us,” she said, adding that authorities cannot take action unless the whole site is officially handed over.

Intimidation and threats

Roodt also raised concerns about safety at the site, saying the workers face intimidation and threats while carrying out their duties.

“If you are met every morning with swearing and threats on your life, how would you feel when you have to work there?” she said.

She said limited law enforcement presence has further complicated operations, with the fire brigade at times requiring police escorts to access the area safely.

Roodt emphasised that coordinated intervention is urgently needed, adding that efforts are underway to regain control of the site and improve conditions.